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All-on-6®

What All-on-6® Means for Full-Arch Tooth Replacement

All-on-6® is a full-arch restorative approach that secures a fixed bridge to six dental implants in either the upper or lower jaw. Unlike removable dentures, this solution creates a permanent prosthesis that feels and functions much like natural teeth. The fixed nature of the restoration eliminates the need for adhesives and daily removal, giving many patients greater confidence for everyday activities such as speaking and eating.

The goal of All-on-6® is to reestablish chewing efficiency, facial support, and oral comfort with a single comprehensive treatment plan. Because the prosthesis is anchored to implants, force from biting transfers into the jawbone, which helps preserve bone structure and maintain facial contours over time. For people who have suffered extensive tooth loss, All-on-6® can transform oral function in a way that removable options often cannot.

This method is performed with careful planning and modern imaging so that implant positions are optimized for stability and long-term success. The result is a streamlined restoration that reduces the daily burden of removable prosthetics while providing a long-lasting, hygienic solution that patients can maintain with routine dental care.

How the All-on-6® Treatment Process Typically Unfolds

Treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation that includes a clinical exam, medical history review, and three-dimensional imaging such as CBCT when indicated. These diagnostic tools allow the clinician to map bone volume, identify critical anatomical structures, and plan the ideal implant positions. A thoughtful plan sets realistic expectations and helps ensure predictable outcomes for each patient.

On the day of surgery, six implants are placed strategically along the arch to support a provisional prosthesis. Many patients receive a temporary set of teeth at the time of implant placement, enabling them to leave the appointment with immediate function and an improved appearance. Over the following months the implants integrate with the bone — a process known as osseointegration — and the final prosthesis is fabricated and secured once healing is complete.

Throughout treatment, clinicians monitor healing, soft-tissue response, and patient comfort, making adjustments as needed to optimize fit and function. The final step is a precisely crafted fixed prosthesis that balances esthetics, phonetics, and chewing capability. Regular follow-up visits help protect the investment and maintain oral health over the long term.

Why Six Implants? Stability, Distribution of Force, and Long-Term Support

Choosing six implants for a full-arch restoration is rooted in biomechanics: additional implant support spreads biting forces more evenly across the jaw. This distribution helps reduce stress on any single implant and contributes to a robust, stable foundation for a full-arch bridge. For patients with moderate bone volume, the All-on-6® configuration can offer enhanced resistance to lateral and rotational forces compared with fewer implants.

Because implant placement can often be planned to make use of available bone, many patients can avoid or minimize bone grafting procedures. In clinical practice, the wider distribution and angulation options provided by six implants enable restorative flexibility, which can be especially helpful when anatomy or prior tooth loss has altered the jaw shape. That flexibility supports a durable restoration designed for long-term success.

While no dental procedure guarantees a specific outcome for every patient, the All-on-6® concept is chosen for its combination of mechanical advantage and prosthetic support. When executed with careful planning and precise surgical technique, it offers a predictable path to restoring function and facial form for people seeking a fixed, full-arch solution.

Living with an All-on-6® Restoration: Daily Care and Long-Term Maintenance

An All-on-6® restoration is maintained much like natural teeth with a few additional considerations. Daily oral hygiene includes brushing the prosthesis and using interdental brushes or water flossers to clean beneath and around the bridge. Professional cleanings and routine exams remain essential to check the health of peri-implant tissues and to catch any issues early.

Patients typically notice immediate improvements in chewing and speech after provisional teeth are placed, and final restorations may further refine comfort and esthetics. With good home care and regular dental visits, many people sustain healthy implant function for years. The dental team will provide individualized maintenance recommendations and schedule periodic evaluations to monitor bone levels and soft-tissue health.

Managing habits that place excessive stress on the restoration—such as chewing very hard objects or untreated bruxism—can help extend the lifespan of the prosthesis. If maintenance or repairs are needed, the modular nature of fixed implant-supported bridges allows clinicians to address issues without starting over, preserving both function and investment.

Who Makes a Good Candidate and What to Expect During Consultation

Good candidates for All-on-6® generally include individuals who have lost most or all teeth in an arch, have compromised removable dentures, or seek a fixed full-arch option for improved comfort and function. A thorough medical and dental evaluation determines suitability, including assessment of bone quantity, gum health, and overall medical considerations that can affect healing. Smoking cessation and management of systemic conditions such as diabetes may be advised to support optimal outcomes.

During the consultation, the dental team discusses treatment goals, explains the steps involved, and reviews alternative solutions so patients can make informed decisions. Advanced imaging and digital planning help clarify what to expect in terms of timing, the provisional-to-final workflow, and post-operative care. The emphasis is on clear communication so patients understand both the benefits and responsibilities associated with a fixed implant-supported restoration.

If All-on-6® is appropriate, the team will outline a personalized plan that aligns clinical needs with the patient’s preferences. Education about home care, follow-up schedules, and realistic functional outcomes helps set expectations and supports a positive, long-term result.

All-on-6® offers a modern, reliable option for people seeking a fixed full-arch solution that restores function, comfort, and confidence. If you’d like to learn whether this approach is right for you, contact Flossophy Dental for more information and to schedule a consultation with our team. Our staff can guide you through the evaluation process and explain what you can expect at every step.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is All-on-6 and how does it differ from other full-arch options?

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All-on-6 is a full-arch restorative approach that secures a fixed prosthesis to six dental implants placed along the upper or lower jaw. Unlike removable dentures, the restoration is fixed in place and functions more like natural teeth, eliminating daily removal and adhesives for most patients. The additional implants provide a wider distribution of biting forces and can improve stability compared with solutions that use fewer implants.

The procedure focuses on restoring chewing function, facial support, and comfort through a single, comprehensive treatment plan. Because the prosthesis transfers occlusal load into the jawbone, it can help preserve bone volume and maintain facial contours over time. Treatment is planned with modern imaging and prosthetic design to balance long-term durability with practical maintenance.

Who is a good candidate for All-on-6?

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Good candidates typically include people who have lost most or all teeth in an arch, struggle with unstable removable dentures, or seek a fixed full-arch solution to improve function and appearance. A thorough clinical exam, medical history review, and imaging are used to evaluate bone volume, gum health, and systemic factors that influence healing. Smoking, uncontrolled systemic disease, and active oral infection are factors clinicians consider when determining candidacy.

Age alone is not a disqualifier; the key considerations are oral health, bone support, and the patient's ability to follow post-operative and maintenance recommendations. When bone is sufficient in the planned implant sites, All-on-6 can often avoid or reduce the need for extensive grafting. The dental team will review alternatives and align expectations so patients can make an informed decision.

How is the All-on-6 treatment planned and what imaging is used?

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Planning begins with a clinical evaluation and three-dimensional imaging such as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to assess bone volume and anatomical landmarks. Digital planning software allows clinicians to map optimal implant positions, plan angulation, and design a prosthesis that meets esthetic and functional goals. This digital workflow enhances predictability by enabling the team to foresee challenges and coordinate surgical and restorative steps.

Models, digital impressions, and prosthetic mock-ups are often used to refine occlusion, phonetics, and esthetics before surgery. The planning phase also identifies whether immediate provisionalization is appropriate and outlines a timeline for healing and final restoration. Clear communication during planning helps set realistic expectations for recovery and long-term maintenance.

What happens during surgery and will I have teeth the same day?

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On the day of surgery, six implants are placed strategically along the arch to create a stable foundation for a provisional prosthesis. Many patients are candidates for immediate provisionalization, which means a temporary fixed bridge is attached the same day to restore appearance and basic function. The provisional prosthesis protects tissue contours and provides immediate esthetic and functional benefits while the implants integrate with the bone.

Surgical time and anesthesia options vary based on the case and patient preference, and clinicians monitor healing closely in the weeks following placement. Adjustments to the provisional prosthesis may be made to optimize comfort, occlusion, and soft-tissue response during the healing phase. Once osseointegration is complete, the final prosthesis is fabricated and secured to achieve long-term stability and refined esthetics.

How long does the healing and osseointegration process take?

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The osseointegration period—when implants bond with bone—typically spans several months, commonly around three to six months depending on individual healing capacity and the jaw involved. During this time the provisional prosthesis supports function while clinicians evaluate bone integration, soft-tissue health, and bite stability. Regular follow-up appointments allow the team to monitor progress and make any necessary adjustments to the provisional restoration.

Factors such as systemic health, smoking, and oral hygiene can influence healing time, so personalized instructions are provided to support predictable outcomes. Once integration and tissue maturation are satisfactory, the final prosthesis is fabricated with attention to esthetics, phonetics, and occlusion. Long-term success relies on both clinical monitoring and consistent home care.

What daily care and long-term maintenance does an All-on-6 restoration require?

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An All-on-6 restoration requires daily oral hygiene similar to natural teeth with specific attention to cleaning beneath and around the fixed bridge. Brushing the prosthesis, using interdental brushes at the implant access points, and adjunctive tools such as water flossers help control plaque and protect peri-implant tissues. Professional maintenance visits for hygiene and clinical evaluation are essential to assess soft-tissue health and bone levels.

The dental team will establish a tailored recall schedule and demonstrate effective home-care techniques to preserve implant health. Managing parafunctional habits like untreated bruxism and avoiding excessively hard objects further protects the prosthesis. With proper care and regular professional oversight, many patients maintain stable implant function for years.

What are the potential risks and how are complications managed?

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As with any surgical procedure, All-on-6 carries risks such as infection, implant failure, nerve irritation, or complications related to healing. Thorough preoperative assessment, sterile surgical technique, and careful post-operative management reduce these risks. Early detection through scheduled follow-ups allows clinicians to address soft-tissue inflammation, mechanical issues, or prosthetic adjustments before they progress.

If complications occur, treatments range from local hygiene and antimicrobial therapy for infection to prosthetic modification or, in rare cases, implant replacement. Long-term monitoring of bone levels and implant stability helps identify and manage problems proactively. The restorative design of implant-supported bridges also allows many repairs to be performed without replacing the entire prosthesis.

How does bone volume influence the All-on-6 approach and when is grafting necessary?

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Bone volume and quality are key factors in implant planning because they determine implant length, diameter, and optimal positioning for load distribution. In many cases the wider distribution of six implants enables clinicians to utilize available bone and avoid extensive grafting. When bone deficiencies are significant, targeted bone grafting or sinus augmentation may be recommended to achieve a predictable, long-term foundation.

The decision to graft is individualized and guided by CBCT imaging and prosthetic goals, with the aim of minimizing additional procedures while ensuring implant stability. When grafting is performed, it is integrated into the treatment timeline and healing expectations are adjusted accordingly. Clear planning helps patients understand the clinical rationale and expected sequence of care.

How do clinicians achieve natural esthetics, proper speech, and comfortable chewing with All-on-6?

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Achieving balanced esthetics, phonetics, and function begins in the planning phase with digital mock-ups, wax-ups, or temporary prostheses that test tooth position and occlusion. Proper implant placement supports the final prosthesis, while provisional restorations allow fine-tuning of lip support, tooth display, and speech characteristics during healing. The restorative laboratory and clinical team collaborate to select materials and contours that deliver a natural appearance and comfortable bite.

During adjustments, clinicians evaluate how the prosthesis interacts with opposing dentition and soft tissues, making refinements to occlusion and contour as needed. Speech patterns are assessed and modified by adjusting tooth position or emergence profiles to eliminate common issues like whistling or lisping. This iterative approach helps deliver a stable, functional, and esthetically pleasing result.

What should I expect during a consultation and how will the practice guide my care?

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During consultation you can expect a comprehensive review of your medical and dental history, a clinical exam, and diagnostic imaging such as CBCT when indicated to evaluate bone and anatomy. The team will discuss treatment goals, outline the sequence from provisional to final restoration, and explain post-operative and maintenance expectations. This detailed dialogue ensures patients understand the clinical decision-making and timing associated with All-on-6.

At Flossophy the dental team emphasizes clear communication and personalized planning to align clinical needs with patient preferences. You will receive tailored instructions for preoperative preparation, post-operative care, and hygiene protocols to support healing and long-term success. Follow-up visits are scheduled to monitor integration, refine the prosthesis, and protect your investment in oral health.

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Get in Touch with Flossophy Dental Today

Ready to schedule your next dental appointment or have questions about our services?

Contacting Flossophy Dental is easy! Our friendly staff is available to assist you with scheduling appointments, answering inquiries about treatment options, and addressing any concerns you may have. Whether you prefer to give us a call, send us an email, or fill out our convenient online contact form, we're here to help. Don't wait to take the first step towards achieving the smile of your dreams – reach out to us today and discover the difference personalized dental care can make.